TRAINING YOUR GERMAN SHEPHERD TO BE A GUARD DOG
Your German shepherd will usually act like a guard dog naturally. Training them to be obedient is the key.
Most dogs are natural watch dogs. They bark to alert their owners to something unusual. This is a natural deterrent to potential danger. Training a dog specifically to be a guard dog can potentially create a liability for you if not done properly. Most people assume that you must make your dog aggressive to be a good guard dog. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Abuse on a dog will only backfire because the dog will not be loyal to someone who treats them harshly. Also, never train a dog who are basically fearful or out of control. Such dogs may not respond appropriately.
A good candidate for training as a guard dog is a German shepherd who is basically friendly, stable and has been well-socialized.
STEP 1
Be sure to socialize your German Shepherd puppy from the start. All dogs should acquire a clear understanding of what is normal and what is not, so that they are not fearful and they know when there is a genuine threat. Take your puppy to places with you, and allow them to meet and interact with as many other people and animals as possible. Be sure to keep them from having any negative experiences. If a dog is not socialized in the beginning, it can create a dog who bites from fear or who runs when confronted with anything unusual.
STEP 2
Learn obedience training, or Eenroll your German shepherd dog puppy in an obedience class as soon as possible. It is essential that your German shepherd dog is obedient at all times and that you can keep them under control. You must Tain with positive reinforcement, rather than punishing them for mistakes. This also serves to create bonding with them and letting them have fun. German shepherds also need the fulfillment of needing to work.
STEP 3
Teach your German shepherd dog to cease barking on command. If dogs don’t learn this, their barking can get out of control and this can be a nuisance. Begin by teaching your dog to “Speak” on command, and give a treat and praise for barking. Once your dog gets that commend down, you can teach it to stop. You can use a command such as “Quiet” Give immediate praise and a small treat when the dog is quiet. This training eventually gives you control over the dog’s bark. Do not allow this behavior to develop away from home. Your dog should be unconcerned about neutral or friendly strangers you meet when you are out walking
STEP 4
You can build your dog’s alertness at home by having people the dog doesn’t know act as though they are trying to get into your home or yard. When your German shepherd dog barks, the intruder can look at the dog and then run away while you hold and praise your dog. Do not allow your pet to chase them! Praise your dog highly for letting you know someone was in his territory, and stop the barking as soon as the person leaves. This strengthens the dog’s confidence.
STEP 5
Walk your German shepherd dog on a leash around the perimeter of your property regularly to identify your territorial boundaries. Important: Do not allow your dog to bark at people who are outside your property. Do not allow your dog to chase people under any circumstances-you don’t want a lawsuit on your hands!
THINGS NEEDED:
- Leash-we recommend this one.
- Collar-we recommend this one.
- Treats-our pups love this brand!